Letter from Representative Jon Richards concerning Asian Carp

December 10, 2009

Dear Neighbor,

I write today to update you on the looming battle to prevent Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan and subsequently all of the Great Lakes.

Last week, I called on Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to pursue every legal means necessary to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. Since then, a host of Legislators from all parts of Wisconsin have joined me in my effort. I am also introducing an Assembly Resolution to formalize this request.

Resent reports have noted that the Asian carp are swimming just below the barrier between the Mississippi River watershed and Lake Michigan, in the Chicago area. The United States Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the State of Illinois must temporarily close gates and locks within the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal until the Asian carp have been completely eradicated.

Asian carp may grow up to 4 feet long, and can weigh over 100 pounds. These fish have destroyed the natural habitat of the waters they have infiltrated. Our fishing and recreational industries depend on a vibrant Lake Michigan. We cannot afford to allow these monsters to destroy our greatest natural resources.

In response to my efforts here in Wisconsin, state legislatures from all over the Midwest and East Coast regions have progressed with similar legal efforts to prevent this catastrophe from occurring. Many states have used my letter to the Wisconsin Attorney General as a template to write letters to their own States’ Attorney Generals.

I want you to know that I am diligently working to prevent the Asian carp from infiltrating our beautiful Great Lakes.

If you have any question or concerns about this or any other issue, please email me at rep.richards@legis.wi.gov or call my office toll free at (888) 534-0019. You can also visit my website .

Sincerely,

Representative Jon Richards

19th Assembly District

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